[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H4843-H4844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORT H.R. 1917, HARDROCK MINING PROTECTION ACT OF 1997

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, mining is one of the most important and 
needed industries in the United States. However, the Bureau of Land 
Management's decision to enforce a final rule on reclamation bonding of 
hardrock mineral operations is having a negative impact on large and 
small miners alike as well as their suppliers, contractors and the 
economy.
  Mr. Speaker, the good news is that I have introduced legislation that 
will transfer the authority of the Bureau of Land Management to require 
bonds or other financial guarantees for the reclamation of mineral 
operations to State governments. Once again the current Federal rule is 
a mandate of action on the States and does not give them the option of 
solving local problems at local levels. My bill will allow States to 
work in cooperation with miners, contractors and suppliers to develop a 
strategy that will protect our public lands while supporting an 
industry that every American is dependent upon. I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 1917, the Hardrock Mining Protection Act of 1997. We must 
protect the

[[Page H4844]]

future of mining and the thousands of jobs it produces for American 
families.

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